chinatown

At the historic heart of Kuala Terengganu – the state capital of Terengganu – is a thriving Perenakan or Chinese-Malay community centered on Kampung Cina or Chinatown. Kampung Cina literally means “Chinese Village.” Located at the mouth of the Terengganu River, Kuala Terengganu’s Chinatown is also known as Teng Lang Po in Hokkien or KT’s Chinatown. Although maritime trade between Terengganu and China has been recorded since the 10th century Song dynasty, a formal Chinese settlement only started forming inRead More→

Location: Binondo, Manila Starting Point: Carriedo LRT End Point: Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz Distance: 2 km Duration: 2 to 3 hours Covering an area of only a few square kilometers, Manila Chinatown is jam-packed with history, cultural quirks, bustling commerce and, of course, gastronomic delights. Since the Sung Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) centuries before the arrival of Spanish conquistadores, this riverside area has long been a trading post between native Filipinos and visiting Chinese. Officially established in 1594 when the SpaniardsRead More→

The following article is a commissioned feature I wrote for the February-March issue of SMILE, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air. You may browse the magazine online at http://www.cebusmile.com PHOTOS BY EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP HEAD TO THE THRIVING AREA OF BINONDO IN MANILA FOR A TRULY SUMPTUOUS FEED DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR, AS EDGAR ALAN ZETA-YAP SUGGESTS LAN ZHOU LAMIEN What it isThis authentic noodle house continues to grow in popularity especially among Chinese immigrants due to its freshlyRead More→

This article was first published in the premiere issue of ROAM, a Manila-based magazine for alternative travel and outdoor enthusiasts. While the mere thought of skipping leisurely through Old Manila’s thoroughfares might seem daunting or perhaps even frightening to the uninitiated, such an experience provides an invaluable insight into the history, culture and culinary landscape of one of the most vibrant capitals in the world. (Well, the 69th in Lonely Planet’s The Cities Book. Still not bad, out of 200). The grind ofRead More→

Welcome to my website! I’m travel writer, photographer and online influencer Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap from the Philippines. Join me as I hike, dive, fly, eat and do pretty much anything in between across 7,641 islands and beyond. Need to reach me? Please write me an email.